ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: Ischemic postconditioning (IPostC), consisted of transient brain ischemia/reperfusion cycles, is considered to have neuroprotective effect. However, there is no best single protocol of IPostC, because varied factors like species tested and characteristics of the tissue may affect the efficacy of IPostC. Thus, we investgated whether different protocols of IPostC affect neuroprotective effects in experimental animal models. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Through occlusion of middle cerebral artery (MCA) with intraluminal suture, stroke was induced in a transient focal ischemia model in mice. We conducted IPostC via brief and repeated MCA occlusion, 2 minutes after reperfusion, followed by different ischemia and reperfusion protocols. After procedure, functional neurological score and histological examination were evaluated. RESULTS: IPostC with different protocols resulted in diverse effects. Among them, a protocol that consists of 3 cycle of IPostC significantly reduced the infarction size 3 days after stroke. CONCLUSION: IPostC was confirmed to reduce infarction size. The effects of IPostC are definitely affected by differences in the protocol used, including the number of cycles, the duration of individual ischemia/reperfusion episode and the entire duration of the IPostC stimuli.
Subject(s)
Animals , Mice , Brain , Infarction , Ischemia , Ischemic Postconditioning , Middle Cerebral Artery , Models, Animal , Neuroprotective Agents , Reperfusion , Stroke , SuturesABSTRACT
We report a case of primary central nervous system vasculitis (PCNSV) mimicking a cortical brain tumor. A 25-year-old woman presented with a 2-week history of headache and transient right hemiparesis. Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a cortical-involving lesion on the left frontal lobe. The 6-cm sized lesion showed low signal intensity on T1-weighted images and high signal intensity on T2-weighted images. The lesion had continual linear enhancement on the subcortical white matter and leptomeninges. There was no evidence of hemorrhage on susceptibility-weighted images and no diffusion restriction on diffusion-weighted images. The regional cerebral blood volume was decreased on the MR perfusion images, and spectroscopy showed increased lactate and lipid peaks. The symptoms were aggravated by fever and seizures. Biopsy was performed to rule out tumorous or inflammatory lesions. Pathologically, lymphocytes were infiltrated on the vessels, and the arachnoid membrane was thickened with inflammatory cells. The patient did not have any underlying diseases, including immune disorders. After high-dose steroid administration, her symptoms improved. Two months later, brain MRI showed a reduction in the infiltration of the T2 hyperintensity lesion with subtle subcortical enhancement. We present a case of PCNSV involving the left frontal lobe, showing vasogenic edema, mass effect, and subcortical linear contrast enhancement without hemorrhage or infarction.
Subject(s)
Adult , Female , Humans , Arachnoid , Biopsy , Blood Volume , Brain Neoplasms , Brain , Central Nervous System , Diffusion , Edema , Fever , Frontal Lobe , Headache , Hemorrhage , Immune System Diseases , Infarction , Lactic Acid , Lymphocytes , Magnetic Resonance Imaging , Membranes , Paresis , Perfusion , Seizures , Spectrum Analysis , Steroids , Vasculitis , Vasculitis, Central Nervous System , White MatterABSTRACT
PURPOSE: This study aimed to evaluate whether a shorter time from the arrival at a hospital to delivery is related to the occurrence of cerebral palsy in premature infants of less than 34 weeks of gestational age. METHODS: We studied 142 newborns of less than 34 weeks of gestational age. The time from the arrival at the hospital to delivery was measured. The correlation between the time required for delivery and the occurrence of cerebral palsy was elucidated by diagnosing cerebral palsy in neonates using the Korean Infant Development Screening Test and neurological examination. RESULTS: Preliminary result suggested that a shorter time from hospital arrival to delivery was related to a lower development score for gross motor activity and to a higher frequency of cerebral palsy occurrence. Moreover, it was responsible for a tendency of obtaining lower Apgar scores at 1 and 5 minutes. The shorter delivery time was associated with a higher probability of respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) occurrence when the length of delivery time was less than 6 hours and there was a higher probability of a shorter gestation period. However, the multifactor analysis revealed that there was little impact of delivery time on the occurrence of cerebral palsy. Conclusions: The length of hospital arrival time to delivery did not significantly influence the occurrence of cerebral palsy in premature infants of less than 34 weeks of gestational age.
Subject(s)
Child , Humans , Infant, Newborn , Pregnancy , Cerebral Palsy , Child Development , Gestational Age , Infant, Premature , Mass Screening , Motor Activity , Neurologic ExaminationABSTRACT
PURPOSE: This study aimed to evaluate whether a shorter time from the arrival at a hospital to delivery is related to the occurrence of cerebral palsy in premature infants of less than 34 weeks of gestational age. METHODS: We studied 142 newborns of less than 34 weeks of gestational age. The time from the arrival at the hospital to delivery was measured. The correlation between the time required for delivery and the occurrence of cerebral palsy was elucidated by diagnosing cerebral palsy in neonates using the Korean Infant Development Screening Test and neurological examination. RESULTS: Preliminary result suggested that a shorter time from hospital arrival to delivery was related to a lower development score for gross motor activity and to a higher frequency of cerebral palsy occurrence. Moreover, it was responsible for a tendency of obtaining lower Apgar scores at 1 and 5 minutes. The shorter delivery time was associated with a higher probability of respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) occurrence when the length of delivery time was less than 6 hours and there was a higher probability of a shorter gestation period. However, the multifactor analysis revealed that there was little impact of delivery time on the occurrence of cerebral palsy. Conclusions: The length of hospital arrival time to delivery did not significantly influence the occurrence of cerebral palsy in premature infants of less than 34 weeks of gestational age.
Subject(s)
Child , Humans , Infant, Newborn , Pregnancy , Cerebral Palsy , Child Development , Gestational Age , Infant, Premature , Mass Screening , Motor Activity , Neurologic ExaminationABSTRACT
PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the attitudes of middle-school students about height and their behaviors related to height gain. METHODS: One thousand four hundred twenty two middle-school students were included. We requested that the students complete a battery of questionnaires asking about problems associated with height. RESULTS: There was a clear difference between real height and desired height. Most students (83.7%) had height dissatisfaction. Most students (91.1%) were concerned about their height. Few students made efforts to improve their height, even though most students had height dissatisfaction and were concerned about their height. Herbal medicine had a tendency to become popularized in treatments for height. Students generally did not judge their friends by height, but there was a small tendency to ignore shorter friends and to feel a sense of inferiority around taller friends. Most students had a greater desire to have a beautiful face than a good body, especially to be tall. Most students thought that there would be some handicaps in life if they had a short stature. CONCLUSION: The attitudes and concerns about height in adolescence should be understood, and recognized as one aspect of treatment for problems associated with height.
Subject(s)
Adolescent , Humans , Friends , Herbal Medicine , Surveys and QuestionnairesABSTRACT
PURPOSE: This study was undertaken to investigate the therapeutic effects of topiramate on pediatric patients with migraine, especially migraine accompanied by aura. METHODS: From January. 2004 to December. 2006, we reviewed the medical records of 27 patients who were diagnosed as migraine and treated with topiramate. And we analysed to see whether there was any improvement of symptoms based on the migraine criteria by International Headache Society. RESULTS: There was a correlation between the migraine criteria and the improvement of symptoms after the treatment by topiramate. The symptoms of nausea, vomiting and hypersensitivity to light and sound were not associated with the improvement of symptoms after the treatment by topiramate. The symptom of aura was related with the improvement of symptoms, moreover, closely related with disappearance of symptoms after the treatment by topiramate. CONCLUSION: It is estimated that more accurate diagnosis coupled with the presence of aura is a condition to improve the treatment effects of topiramate.
Subject(s)
Humans , Diagnosis , Epilepsy , Headache , Hypersensitivity , Medical Records , Migraine Disorders , Nausea , VomitingABSTRACT
PURPOSE: Because voiding cystourethrography(VCUG) is an invasive method, we studied whether VCUG could be postponed through evaluation of alternative non-invasive tests including renal ultrasonography and (99m)Tc-DMSA renal scan. METHODS: We reviewed the medical records of 175 patients initially diagnosed with febrile urinary tract infection during the one year period of 1999, and compared 3-tests:renal ultrasongraphy, (99m)Tc-DMSA renal scan, and VCUG. RESULTS: Renal ultrasonography didn't contribute to the prognostication of pyelonephritis(photopenic areas) or vesicoureteral reflux(VUR). Presentation of photopenic areas in (99m)Tc-DMSA renal scan was related to VUR. If both findings of renal ultrasonography and (99m)Tc-DMSA renal scans were normal, this condition was closely related to normal results in VCUG. And if both examinations were abnormal, the condition was closely related to VUR. But this state could not always guarantee the normal result from VCUG because of low sensitivity in finding VUR. CONCLUSION: In cases in which acute phyelonephritis is demonstrated by (99m)Tc-DMSA renal scan, VCUG is required. In addition to this, if the conditions of hydronephrosis, vesicoureteral dilatation, increases of renal volume, and changes of echogenesity are shown by renal ultrasonography, VCUG should be performed. If a patient has difficulty undergoing VCUG, temporary postponement of VCUG can be taken into consideration, but only in cases where both examinations of renal ultrasonography and (99m)Tc-DMSA renal scan are normal. Nevertheless, close observation is be advised even in this case.